There are two truths upon which we place our faith. One is the person of Jesus. We put our faith in His identity. Second, we put our faith in the work of Jesus. We put our faith in what He accomplishes. The eternal outcome of our soul is at risk. Where we spend eternity depends upon our understanding of these two essential truths about Jesus.
Jesus is the Messiah who restores life. Jesus didn’t come just for the woman with the hemorrhage or to raise Jairus’ daughter from the dead. Jesus came to save all sinners. He came for you and for me. One day, we will be in a grave. But, when we believe Jesus is the Messiah who restores life, we no longer fear the grave. We know that after we are dead, Jesus will extend His hand to us. We will sing with joy and say, “The grave has no victory over me. Jesus gives me eternal life.” He will take us by the hand, and just like the girl, we will also eat. We will sit at the great banquet of the marriage supper of the Lamb and we will enjoy the presence of Jesus forever.
The prophetic testimony of the sure word of God is compelling and reliable. I implore you to think about Jesus's ministry, teachings, and His life. Remember that Jesus is seen alive and His disciples went to their grave believing Him as risen from the dead.
Believing in Jesus requires faith in believing the testimony of God’s word.
Put your faith in Jesus, the compassionate Savior.
There are many miracles that Jesus performs, but not all of Jesus’ miracles are written in Luke’s account. The fact that Luke gives details surrounding these two miracles in chapter five, the healing of a leper and a paralytic, we may expect that they reveal very truths into the person of Jesus. These miracles reveal the extent of Jesus’ authority. They will show that Jesus has the authority to declare the unclean clean and that He has the authority to forgive sin.
Throughout Luke’s gospel, we will see two responses to Jesus. Some people respond like the people of Nazareth, and they want to throw Jesus off a cliff. They like Jesus up until a certain point. They are no different than people of today. People today like Jesus up to a certain point. But, as soon as the topic of sin emerges, talk of Jesus is no longer welcome. The gospel is not enough.
Others, like the disciples who continue to follow Jesus, are willing to hear the truth, even when it gets difficult. When Jesus asks them, “Do you want to stop following Me as well?” Peter responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:67-69)
What about you? Do you believe Jesus is the Holy One of God who has words of eternal life?
Bible Text: Leviticus 23:33-43 | Pastor: Scott Schwartz | Series: 2019 - Heart for the Harvest
Perhaps, they see Jesus as being pompous. They see Jesus as Joseph’s son, not as the Messiah. We know just the opposite is true. Jesus is not a pompous man, but a humble God. He lays aside His privileges and divine glory, humbles Himself and becomes a man, He serves, and He obeys God to the point of death on a cross.
Jesus takes on the mission, so we may be set free, comforted, and made righteous. We have a glorious Savior. Believe Jesus is the anointed Messiah sent to make us righteous, for the glory of God.
The main idea of this passage is very simple. We are to worship the Savior for His remarkable transforming work of deliverance. To truly worship Jesus, others will see Him as being the center of our heart and affections. His name is on our lips. His salvation dominates our conversations. When we worship Jesus, the church is a sparkling jeweled city where we grow in the knowledge of Christ and learn how Jesus is to be the center of our life.
The Son of Man, who we despise, willingly endures the shame and mocking. He outstretches His arms so we may nail Him to a tree. As He hangs there in shame before the public, the Man of Sorrows, offers forgiveness to those who are crucifying Him. He bleeds for our salvation. He is marred for our sin. It is our grief and sorrow He carries.
There is only one who is worthy of our worship and praise. Worship Jesus for His atoning sacrifice for our salvation. His work of salvation is astonishingly complete in every way.
We need to remember Jerusalem in her glory. She is a woman who was once the envy of all. She was beautiful, rich, and clothed in luxury. She was proud and stood tall as she brought the work of her hands to the market. She ate the finest food and drank the best of wines. She was virile and gave birth to strong, handsome sons.
The picture Isaiah paints is that Jerusalem has become a pitiful drunk and helpless woman in the streets. She is clothed in pity and shame. She is filthy and covered in sores. If we were to see her, we might throw her some pocket change. We would not invite her to our home. As we go through these verses, picture this woman in mind.
The fact that we are not righteous is the number one problem facing all people. God is righteous, and He expects righteousness in all people. God will not allow immorality in His kingdom. We, who are unrighteous, put locks on our doors to keep unrighteous people out. God, who is perfectly righteous, has a sign over the gate to the entrance to His kingdom which reads, “no unrighteousness allowed.”
Because we are unrighteous, we need righteousness. It is our biggest and greatest need. Without righteousness, we may not step one foot into the kingdom of heaven.
The Messiah of Israel is amazing. The descriptions of Him in Isaiah tell us that He is a great champion and ruler who reigns with perfection. The reason God reveals Him in the Scriptures is so that we get to know Him. And, in knowing Him, we welcome Him as King with worship and adoration.
God does not want us to despair. God wants us to rejoice. He knows we may never live up to His standards. He loves us as a Father and He sent a solution to our need. Jesus is the answer. He dies so we may live. Jesus bridges the gap between our failure and God’s standard of perfection. He takes our sin and gives us His righteousness.
The gospel is the good news that we are made perfect in the Messiah of Israel. The picture Isaiah reveals to us is a picture of a Messiah we may fall in love with. Think about how the Messiah is a complete answer to all of our needs. He comes to bring light into our darkness. He replaces our sorrow with gladness. He rescues us from the clutches of our enemies. And, He restores creation so we may live in abundance and peace forevermore.
MAIN IDEA: Share the word of testimony that Jesus is the Messiah so that others may know and be saved.
Jesus teaches the disciples that there are priorities in life. Accomplishing God’s will is a priority. He can’t eat, He is busy eating. His food is God’s will. There are few things which we value more than filling our bellies. For Jesus, doing God’s will is one of those things.
We have received mercy. We are redeemed from a dark dungeon. We are given sight and we may behold the risen Messiah who gives us life. God saves us that we may glorify His name.
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